1 _Chapter 1_

14 years later

In the year 1078, there was a peaceful village named Aberscotch. A town of fifty-something homes surrounded off by tall wooden poles. Vast mountainous forestry lay farther behind, numbering several thousand trees. That continued for a few hundred meters before coming to a steep cliff, where the ocean churned below.

Standing on the cliff edge, a boy with snowy white hair, midnight blue eyes, and soft skin looked up at the sky just as the sun's rays shone on the wet ground and melted the remaining winter snow.

"Ren!" Eirlys shouted at the white-haired boy, knocking him out of his daze. "You get distracted way too easily! Aren't you gonna catch me?"

Eirlys screamed those words and took off, her reddish-blonde hair flowing in the breeze as she raced down a narrow path somewhat covered in mud and damp leaves that led to the town.

'Ren' took one final look at the cloudless sky and turned towards the direction he'd heard the girl shout his name.

"I'm gonna get you!" he shouted and began rushing down the path, pursuing her.

Eirlys screamed even louder, "You're never going to! You're too far behind!"

They moved through the woodlands, Eirlys barreling her way past the low-hanging branches while a dimpled smile bound itself unto her face. Thorns shredded pieces of her attire, yet she paid them no mind.

Ren, however, was moving expertly through the forest. He ducked, weaved, and leaped over the very thorns and branches that were tearing pieces Eirlys' clothes.

'I need to cut her off before she gets back.'

Ren swerved off the path without breaking his stride and went deep into the forest. He leaped over the collapsed tree logs, maintaining his footing on the irregular terrain. The wind in his hair and the fresh air around him pushed him to go faster. He wanted to catch up to her and win the last round before they headed home.

'Faster,' he pressed. 'I need to run way faster.'

Unbeknownst to him, a dark aura formed around him. The world around him became a blur as he zoomed through the small forest, leaving behind upturned leaves and barely noticeable footsteps in the mud.

'Whoo!" Ren yelped, totally oblivious to the disturbance he was leaving behind him. He knew what path Eirlys followed and that its exit was distant enough that he could get there before her if he kept at this pace.

The stakes today were very high: the winner would get half of the loser's dinner as well as bragging rights for the rest of the week.

In the near distance, the rays of the sun that managed to sneak through the forest overgrowth dimly lit up the forest's exit. Ren slowed down and entered a crouching position after seeing Eirlys taking a leisurely stroll. She was almost glowing in happiness, probably thinking that she had won the game.

Ren's body shook as he attempted to quiet his laughter. "She is so not ready for this." He murmured to himself.

He crawled towards the edge of the growth and waited for her to come close enough to him.

'3...2...1.. GO!!' Ren jumped out and wrapped Eirlys in a firm hug. "I've got you!!"

Eirlys flinched as a loud "Eek!" escaped her mouth.

"W-wait, how - how did you get here so fast?" She shrieked. "You didn't even follow the path!"

"Umm... I don't know how I did it," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I just did."

"B-but you shouldn't have caught me," She gripped the side of her dress, "I had a big head start!"

Ren smirked. "It's just too easy." He teased.

"Is that so?!" An enraged Eirlys crossed her arms. "Alright then! The last one home wins!"

With that, she sped past him and continued down the path, Ren keeping closely behind. They ran out of the forest towards the village, passing the clearing of tree stumps, proof of a cold winter just passed.

They burst through the town's entrance onto an even wider dirt road scattered with muddy puddles and stones. The other villagers barely glanced at them, used to the noisy antics performed by the two siblings. Other kids tried to run alongside them, but they were paid no mind as Ren and Eirlys continued to sprint, now neck-in-neck.

They were equally matched until Ren began to pull away from Eirlys. Surprised, Eirlys looked at him and saw a starry aura surrounding him. He didn't seem to have noticed, and the other villagers hadn't noticed either.

'What in the world is that?' She thought to herself before slowing down and yelling, "Wait up, Ren!"

Ren looked behind himself and saw that Eirlys was slowing down. He slowed his pace to a lax walk and allowed Eirlys to reach him.

"What now?"

Eirlys stole a glimpse at him.

"No- it's nothing. I'm probably just seeing stuff."

Eirlys offered with a quick smile on her face, the race long forgotten.

'I could have sworn I saw something there- or I'm losing my mind,' Eirlys pondered about it. 'Yeah, I'm totally losing it.'

"Whoo," she stretched her arms outwards.

"Hey, watch it." Ren grabbed her arm and frowned. "You almost hit me in the eye."

Eirlys stuck her tongue at him in reply. "You'll be fine." She said. " Besides, we have to get home now."